Should I say something?

I would be more concerned about a child being outside and naked from the waist down than the fact that they have a cold to be honest. Alright, so the old was in the parents garden but that does not make it right, they could be overlooked, people have zoom lenses, drones etc and think nothing of taking photos of kiddies without clothes.

I would probably have made light of it by jokingly saying how things have changed over the years and how we used to keep children indoors if they had a cold. That way you were saying what you were thinking but not telling them what to do

Slightly off piste here, but a similar situation. My GD has lovely hair which is often floating about loose and in front of her eyes. Even when tied up, there are still wisps flying about in her field of vision, which I think bothers her. It drives me mad. I did tell my son and dil about the problems it caused me as a child (nervous tic, etc) but they still continue to let it happen. I grit my teeth and say nothing but if GD is at our house, I find a couple of clips and pin it back out of her eyes. It is SO difficult not to make a comment, but as others have said, she’s their child, not mine.

You just showed you care. This time of year it's not cold outside and fresh air is to be recommended. Parenting ideas change over time. I bite my tongue a lot!! ?

I am with us and would have said NIX

It is summer time and most youngsters want the freedom in warmer weather. Every generation has done this. We all want to remove clothes (or as many as we can without causing offence) during warmer weather, we just need a glimpse of sun. Stop worrying about nothing.

I think the saying when I was young was 'not to wrap a child up in cotton wool'. Fresh air is the best thing for a child...blows the germs away...hahaha

I wouldn’t have mentioned it, but wouldn’t be worried about it anyway. If he had a slight temperature it would be good for him to cool off and secondly the fresh air would do him good!

I would have said is he ok outside without clothes on, its fine to be concerned. |I wouldn`t have said it to both parents though.

I think when the parents are there, leave it to them. When you’re in sole charge, entirely your decision.
You’d probably err on the side of caution, and quite rightly so as it saves worrying/fretting over any decisions made.
It’s just so hard when you think one thing and they think another, but probably best to keep it in your head, unless you’ve spotted a danger/problem that they haven’t.

If I have a cold I always find going outside clears my head.

I don’t think you are being “ old fashioned” as tears ago it was deemed a good thing to be running around in the fresh air whatever the weather. There are now nurseries without inside space. The children and staff are outside all the time and I bet they don’t get many infections ! If anyone has a cold it won’t make it worse being outside, you can’t catch a cold going outside either.

Nannarose

3 issues here:
1. mentioning something at all - I tend to stick to anything really serious, or of which they may be unaware
2. mentioning it to one parent when the other has already given you a response - no I wouldn't

3. I'm with the brigade that would let them play outside - and I don't know about 'old fashioned' but in the '50s my mum sent us out 'to blow away the germs' if we wanted to!
However, it doesn't matter what the issue was, if giving opinions on parenting these are my rules:

If I am asked
If I am joining in a general discussion, and make it clear I am offering views that are not necessarily to be taken
If I have to make a decision whilst doing child care that hasn't already been covered
Finally - if serious advice about keeping children safe, and there are only a few of those.

I am glad of this forum so that we can share views, please don't think I am being critical, just giving a point of view

yes, "outdoors in all weathers" is a REALLY traditional belief that has proved to be right

yes you are being old fashioned. If he was happy outside, not shivering or grizzling then he's fine.

I think fresh air is a good thing if anyone is a bit under the weather

I agree being outside in the fresh air probably do him good. Children don’t seem to feel the cold as much as oldies.

You should have said nowt because:

- child will be fine - you are worrying unnecessarily.
- their child, their decision
- you risk a rift over nothing.

Zip the lip is the rule!!

3 issues here:
1. mentioning something at all - I tend to stick to anything really serious, or of which they may be unaware
2. mentioning it to one parent when the other has already given you a response - no I wouldn't

3. I'm with the brigade that would let them play outside - and I don't know about 'old fashioned' but in the '50s my mum sent us out 'to blow away the germs' if we wanted to!
However, it doesn't matter what the issue was, if giving opinions on parenting these are my rules:

If I am asked
If I am joining in a general discussion, and make it clear I am offering views that are not necessarily to be taken
If I have to make a decision whilst doing child care that hasn't already been covered
Finally - if serious advice about keeping children safe, and there are only a few of those.

I am glad of this forum so that we can share views, please don't think I am being critical, just giving a point of view

I would have done what you did. I hate the idea of saying nothing, then something goes wrong afterwards. You draw their attention to it.

If it had been my daughter, I would have told her and left it there. My son in laws are not the main carers. If it were my sons, I probably would have thought it’s no good telling them, my DILs needs to know.

I wouldn’t say any more after that though, but I would always be concerned about my grandchildren’s welfare, before worrying about how it might sound to the parents. In fact with one of my sons, who can be a bit scatty, my DIL’s rolled her eyes and said, “ has he done that?” thanks for telling me.

There are lots of situations I would remain quiet though. This just isn’t one of them.

It is a Grandma thing ! However if parents want Grandma to be on duty so they can work then there is a price to pay and that includes Grandma passing comments regarding childcare - occasionally. I am sure most parents ( my AC included) take advice with a pinch of salt . As long as it is not done too often!!! When grandparents are so involved in childcare it is to be expected they are passionate about the welfare of their grandchildren. Parents can't have the benefits of Grandma duty without expecting her to be involved from time to time.

Thank you all for your comments. As you say they are their parents so I was probably being a bit overprotective.

Unless there is a danger e.g. gate open then it is not for you to criticise your son’s parenting.
I expect your grandson enjoyed being nappy free.

In the future, please do not mention anything

cornishpatsy

I think if children are well enough to want to go out then fresh air is probably better for them.

Not really a good idea to tell their mother when their father had already said it was ok.

Spot on Cornishpatsy

Edge26 I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s what grandmas do. It doesn’t sound as if you caused an almighty row between the parents and dil agreed with you. I wouldn’t have said anything about keeping him indoors, I’d have just queried if he was ok outside with no clothes and left it at that.